overshadow

verb

over·​shad·​ow ˌō-vər-ˈsha-(ˌ)dō 

overshadowed; overshadowing; overshadows

transitive verb

1

: to cast a shadow over

2

: to exceed in importance : outweigh

Synonyms

• obscure
• darken
• blur
• blacken

Examples of overshadow in a Sentence

The pitcher's outstanding performance should not overshadow the achievements of the rest of the team.

large trees overshadow the yard and darken the house for much of the day

Recent Examples on the Web

First monthly job losses in five years With the monthly revisions, standard operating procedure by the way, July’s paltry number of 22,000 jobs created was overshadowed by June’s new status as the first month since December 2020 showing a loss. —Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025

Compelling as that is, the mystery of Roman's whereabouts is nearly overshadowed by the arrival of a serial killer that's equal parts Jigsaw and the Riddler. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025

But the Pete Alonso sweepstakes was largely overshadowed last offseason. —Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

Often overshadowed by Shenandoah National Park, only 30 miles away, Woodstock is much more than a stop along the way. —Tykesha Spivey Burton, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overshadow

• caddo
• foreshadow

Kids Definition

overshadow

verb

over·​shad·​ow -ˈshad-ō 

1

: to cast a shadow over : darken

2

: to become more important than : outweigh

the win overshadowed the player's injury